Tears of joy with victory

Patience was rewarded when handsome colt Victory Tears made a winning debut on the Ballarat Synthetic track on Tuesday, June 30.

The Tony & Calvin McEvoy-trained three-year-old has been a project horse and the hard work was rewarded.

Sent out at $4.20, Victory Tears, ridden by Dean Holland, sat second early in the Porter Plant Three-Year-Old Maiden (1200m) before drawing clear past the 200 metres mark to score.

The colt won by half-a-length from Gold Logie ($18) with Come On Eileen ($11), 1-1/4 lengths away third.

Trainer Tony McEvoy paid tribute to co-trainer Calvin McEvoy and the team at their new Ballarat stable.

“Cal and the staff at Ballarat deserve all the credit for the win by Victory Tears,” McEvoy said.

“He is a big, gross colt who has had trouble with soft feet.

“We have had to be very careful with him as he has had a lot of concussions in his feet.

“It has been a case of put him into work and manage, ease off, press on, ease off, then go again.

“Cal and the team have worked so hard.

“He is a colt of potential and we picked today’s race out because it was at home, and he has worked and galloped well on the synthetic.

“I loved the way he quickened past the 200, but he was starting to run out of fitness late.”

McEvoy said he was confident Victory Tears could prove his quality when switched to grass tracks.

“I’m sure he would be well suited to tracks with a bit of give, but I would be wary on running him on a heavy because the stock of his sire Written Tycoon generally are not comfortable.”

A half-brother to Group One winner Run Fox Run, Victory Tears cost connections $900,000 at the Inglis Easter Sales.

“We paid very good money for him, and thanks to the owners for being so patient in allowing us to take our time to have him right for his debut.

“We will see how he comes through the run before working on a future plan.”